‘With superbody, BAP irrelevant’

In a move that could spell the Basketball Association of the Philippines’ demise, the country’s premier basketball leagues have agreed in principle to bond together, forming a superbody that would take an active role in a bid to improve the sad plight of Philippine basketball.

Top officials of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), Philippine Basketball League (PBL), University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) decided to join forces in a meeting at Chateau 1771 Wednesday night.

They are likely to seal their agreement as they meet again on March 19.

One official said this development could lead to "BAP dying a natural death."

All are convinced they have to work together or even stage a revolution to put Philippine basketball back on track.

"Personally, I believe it’s about time we do it because all the people are all for it. These people spoke from the heart, saying how they’re fed up with the present situation. They’re committed and dedicated to sort of staging a revolution," said PBA board chairman Buddy Encarnado, who represented the pro league in the meeting together with commissioner Noli Eala.

The PBL was represented by commissioner Chino Trinidad, deputy commissioner Tommy Ong and assistant to the commissioner Butch Maniego. Other stakeholders present were lawyer Rene Ma. Villa and University of the Philippines chancellor Claro Llaguno for the UAAP, University of Perpetual Help-Rizal chancellor Dr. Ramon Cercado and Mike del Mundo for the NCAA, Rolly Omampo of the Referees Commission and former PBA commissioner Jun Bernardino, who came in as an observer.

Basketball Association of the Philippines Inc. (BAPI) president Nic Jorge called the meeting but took the backseat after he succeeded in bringing together all the leagues into one table to discuss the future of the sport.

"Napagsamasama ko na sila. Masaya na ako at para na akong nabunutan ng tinik," said Jorge.

The group asked the PBA to be at the forefront of the organization, which agreed to work on the draft of the by-laws prepared by former Asian Basketball Confederation secretary-general Moying Martelino.

"What can you do when you hear these people tell you what they believe and what they want to do? I’m convinced we have to go for it," said Encarnado.

Eala, for his part, raised the need for the top leagues to be "behind a truly national basketball program. It is time for us to bet on something for the general benefit of our sport."

National Capital Region Athletic Association (NCRAA) — the country’s largest collegiate league in terms of membership — and the Universities and Colleges Athletic Association (UCAA), though not represented in the meeting, expressed support to the superbody.

"It’s a very timely action because the Philippine basketball is in crisis. We need to put things in proper perspective, especially with this never-ending dispute for control in the leadership," said NCRAA president Art Onas.

Rudy Ascona, a respected basketball leader in Bacolod, said: "That’s the best thing that’s going to happen in Philippine basketball. All the rest are going to follow whatever would come out of the meeting. It is something that would help us regain our supremacy in the region in the next few years."

Other basketball leaders from Cebu, Bacolod, Iloilo and Negros Occidental have reportedly given their thumbs up to the superbody.